How to price paintings / Artwork
When we price our paintings and various artworks, should we price them according to what the market is willing to pay? Or should we price them according to their values? Perhaps some artists price a piece of art according to its dimensions. But we have to keep in mind the fact that each square inch of one painting in a certain style, can take more time, thought and costs than a square inch of another painting in a different style. Also, some mediums are more costly than others. Therefore, it is essential to assist people to learn more about the different styles of paintings and their values. I believe that pricing a painting starts from the moment we think of an idea/subject, composition or searching, taking photographs, sketching, preparing the canvas. Also, the involved costs, the time spent on finishing that painting, framing it and then insuring it! In addition, years of education, experience and the accomplishments, of an artist, are also factors that influence the price. Furthermore, when we create a piece of art, we cover for art supplies, studios expenses, insurance etc. Adding to that, we have no vacation pied, medical incurrence, sick leaves, unemployment insurance etc. Should we not take charge of pricing our paintings!
I would like to share this short story with you. One day, my heat thermostat got burned. I called a technician. In few minutes an old one was installed and I was charged $165. The cost included the use of his truck, gas and his time to come to my home. This thermostat, shortly, will get burned out again! After all, it was a very unique comment that the technician made, when he saw my walls were full of paintings, he said,” So, you are the starving artist?”
Many cases of injustices are out there and this is another case; there is a Pig who is an artist and sells his work more than many of us. He even learned how to sign his paintings! His owner is the art supplier, art director and art dealer. The owner of that Pig has been taking care of him as he is a good source of revenue. All the Pig has to do is paint, day and night, and his needs will be taken care of. The owner is the one making the big bucks. I wonder if this sounds familiar to some artists who are only painting and simply receive their needs from art dealers! Apparently, the Pig has no other choice but to be grateful for receiving his necessities!
We, artists, have to make it comprehensible that what we do is not merely, for enjoyment neither is it for a hobby nor is because we have spare time. Rather, we have chosen to embrace art as our careers. The idea that artists are incapable of holding other jobs does exist. Thus, making it recognized that we have chosen to work as professional artists is a must. Therefore, we should be able to make a decent living of our careers and this is where our strengths are.
Artist’s job is to record history, inspire, add beauty and value to people’s homes, shops and almost everywhere. Whether buyers obtain a piece of artwork for decorating their homes or for investment, they are still purchasing a valuable possession. Thus, shouldn’t we believe in what we do and estimate it properly! There is no reason to lower the prices of our paintings and then complain that we are unable to make a living. We’re not selling shoes, clothing or even furniture that customers will use for a while, then throw away or resell. Remember that a Technician charges $50-$120 per hour, a plumber charges $50 per hour and we will have to repair the same thing over and over again.
Why, by law, do artists have the copyrights of their creative artwork and is considered as intellectual property? Isn’t because we create exceptional work! I believe that the problem relies on us. When we do not believe that what we do is valuable, we are underestimating our hard work. It strikes me when some artists get so happy when sell many paintings for a few dollars? Is this how we want to continue living? We should be selling our paintings / artwork to those who have an appreciation for and love it. When a consumer is not in the position to afford the price of an original painting, we provide reproductions. That is why there are many big printing companies. Those companies are making thousands of dollars from selling only reproductions and hardly, paying the artists (the creators of this work) a 2%-3%”loyalty fee”! Is it ideal for artists to starve so that the big companies can make the fortune of our hard labors? That would raise the question, if prints of an original painting can add so much revenue, how much so the original painting should be priced for!? Certainly, it will not be equal, we have to be practical but we do not want to kill it either.
I am inviting you, my fellow artists, to maintain your confidence, self esteem and to believe in the importance of what we do. That, by itself, will reflect on the quality of our work and on the prices we set. In doing so, will correct the reputation of “The Starving Artists” and will increase viewer’s / buyer’s appreciation.
All what we wish for is to make a decent living, is this too much to expect!
Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist
